BRATISLAVA, September 29, (WEBNOVINY) — Parliamentary deputies should lose at least immunity from prosecution if they commit a transgression, so that they, for example, have pay a speeding ticket as everybody else. In addition to that, the center-right coalition wants to curb deputies’ immunity from prosecution as such with only statements in parliament being excluded from it. However, unlike for the immunity for transgressions, approving such proposal in parliament needs a constitutional majority, which the governing coalition does not have and needs some votes from the opposition. Prime Minister Iveta Radicova has already agreed with leader of the strongest opposition party SMER-SD Robert Fico that they will discuss limits to immunity at the beginning of next week. If the coalition does not gain support of SMER-SD, it is prepared to submit a passable proposal.
As Radicova stated, she is not aware of the announced demand of the opposition, which says that immunity should apply for deputies for example during their way to work or during business trips. “I have not been presented any requirements, I will negotiate about factual wording and I have a precise idea how it should look like; we will try to find a common approach,” she said. She agrees with Fico’s demand that a joint coalition-opposition proposal is formulated. „Of course, I am in favor of it, as there needs to be a constitutional majority, but not at all cost. In her opinion, the principal stance on how the immunity should be curbed must be preserved.
The Prime Minister also reminded that SMER-SD is prepared to discuss the immunity of deputies not judges. She called it a take-off platform for the negotiations, adding that she does not view it as a concession.
SMER-SD has already announced that they will come up with their own proposals. For example, if a parliamentary deputy commits an offense, police should inform a relevant parliamentary committee which will then sanction the deputy with a fine. However, the party still refuses to negotiate on the cancellation of the deputy immunity.
SITA
